Thomas Tuchel heaps praise on Raheem Sterling after Chelsea brace

Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel has heaped praise on Raheem Sterling following his brace against Leicester City on Saturday.

Conor Gallagher’s dismissal early in the first half after a dominant start may have had Chelsea fans worried, but the Blues stayed on top before claiming all three points.

Sterling  opened the scoring for 10-man Chelsea in the second half, seeing his effort deflected over Danny Ward to take the pressure of the Blues and put his side ahead.

The 27-year-old netted his second in stereotypical fashion, being in the right place at the right time to tap home a Reece James cross and seal the three points for Chelsea.

Raheem Sterling celebrating for Chelsea. (Alamy)

Sterling showed Chelsea what they were missing out on last season, proving to be the goal scorer that he was known as during his days at Man City.

Chelsea head coach Tuchel was full of praise for the winger, admitting that he has stepped up for the Blues when he was needed, doing what he was brought in to do.

Speaking to the press after the match, as quoted by Adam Newson, Tuchel discussed Sterling’s impact and brace.

The German said: “We need him to score, it's what he does”

Tuchel continued to reveal that he tweaked his system in order to get Sterling in the positions that he loves and thrives in.

“I could feel he was not happy and wanted more chances, so we played a more aggressive shape in the first half but were then one man down,” Tuchel revealed. “We needed him to step up and he did.”

Despite the victory, Tuchel stated that he did not see enough with 11 men to make a clear judgement on his tactical changes, but will analyse the first period before Gallagher’s dismissal.

“The first 25 minutes was eleven against eleven and we will use it,” he said. 

“We can be more aggressive and be in the box in the first twenty minutes.

Raheem Sterling and Reece James celebrating. (Alamy)

“Maybe we don't smell how big the chance was to put the game to bed in the first 20 minutes.”

Chelsea travel to Southampton on Tuesday night as they face the Saints and will be looking to pick up their form and add another three points.

With the transfer window still open, the head coach will continue to add to his squad before the deadline.

Wesley Fofana is set to join from Leicester City in the coming days, missing the clash against Chelsea ahead of the transfer.